Phalaenopsis plant named &#39;SANDMAN&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of  Phalaenopsis  plant named ‘Sandman’, characterized by its relatively compact and upright plant habit; moderately vigorous growth habit; strong flowering stems; strong leaves; freely flowering habit with typically two inflorescences per plant, each inflorescence with numerous flowers; pale yellow-colored flowers with radiating purplish red-colored dashes and spots; and good postproduction longevity.

CROSS-REFERENCED TO CLOSELY-RELATED APPLICATIONS

Title: Varieties of Phalaenopsis Plants

Inventor: René Schoone

Filed: Jun. 6, 2020

Ser. No. : 62/705,003

Inventor and Applicant/Assignee hereby claims the benefit of thisprovisional U.S. Patent Application.

Botanical designation: Phalaenopsis hybrida.

Cultivar denomination: ‘SANDMAN’.

STATEMENT REGARDING PRIOR DISCLOSURES BY INVENTOR and APPLICANT/ASSIGNEE

An European Community Plant Breeder's Rights application for the instantplant was filed by the Applicant/Assignee of the instant application,Floricultura B.V. of Heemskerk, The Netherlands on Mar. 18, 2021,application number 2021/0836. Foreign priority is not claimed to thisEuropean Community Plant Breeder's Rights application.

The Inventor and Applicant/Assignee assert that no publications noradvertisements relating to sales, offers for sale or public distributionoccurred more than one year prior to the effective filing date of thisapplication. Any information about the claimed plant would have beenobtained from a direct or indirect disclosure from the Inventor and/orApplicant/Assignee. Inventor and Applicant/Assignee claim a prior artexception under 35 U.S.C. 102(b)(1) for disclosure and/or sales prior tothe filing date but less than one year prior to the effective filingdate.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar ofPhalaenopsis plant, botanically known as Phalaenopsis hybrida, andhereinafter referred to by the name ‘Sandman’.

The new Phalaenopsis plant is a product of a planned breeding programconducted by the Inventor in De Lier and Heemskerk, The Netherlands. Theobjective of the breeding program is to develop new fast-growing andfreely flowering Phalaenopsis plants with good leaf shape and largeflowers with unique and attractive patterns and coloration.

The new Phalaenopsis plant originated from a cross-pollination in April,2009 in Nantou, Taiwan of Phalaenopsis hybrida ‘Diamond Beauty’, notpatented, as the female, or seed, parent with Phalaenopsis hybrida‘Nankung's 4.55 PM’, not patented, as the male, or pollen, parent. Thenew Phalaenopsis plant was discovered and selected by the Inventor as asingle flowering plant from within the progeny of the statedcross-pollination grown in a controlled greenhouse environment inHeemskerk, The Netherlands in February, 2018.

Asexual reproduction of the new Phalaenopsis plant by in vitro meristempropagation in a controlled environment in Assendelft, The Netherlandssince February, 2019 has shown that the unique features of this newPhalaenopsis plant are stable and reproduced true to type in successivegenerations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Plants of the new Phalaenopsis have been observed under all possiblecombinations of environmental conditions and cultural practices. Thephenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environmental conditionssuch as temperature and light intensity, without, however, any variancein genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe the unique characteristics of ‘Sandman’. These characteristics incombination distinguish ‘Sandman’ as a new and distinct Phalaenopsisplant:

-   -   1. Relatively compact and upright plant habit.    -   2. Moderately vigorous growth habit.    -   3. Strong flowering stems.    -   4. Strong leaves.    -   5. Freely flowering habit with typically two inflorescences per        plant, each inflorescence with numerous flowers.    -   6. Pale yellow-colored flowers with radiating purplish        red-colored dashes and spots.    -   7. Good postproduction longevity.

Plants of the new Phalaenopsis can be compared to plants of the femaleparent, ‘Diamond Beauty’ . Plants of the new Phalaenopsis differprimarily from plants of ‘Diamond Beauty’ in flower color as flowers ofplants of the new Phalaenopsis are pale yellow in color with purplishred-colored dashes and spots whereas flowers of plants of ‘DiamondBeauty’ are dark yellow in color with only a few spots and no dashes orstripes. In addition, flower labella of plants of the new Phaleanopsishave cirrose tips whereas flower labella of plants of ‘Diamond Beauty’do not develop cirrose tips.

Plants of the new Phalaenopsis can be compared to plants of the maleparent, ‘Nankung's 4.55 PM’. Plants of the new Phalaenopsis differprimarily from plants of ‘Nankung's 4.55 PM’ in flower color as flowersof plants of the new Phalaenopsis are pale yellow in color with purplishred-colored dashes and spots whereas flowers of plants of ‘Nankung's4.55 PM’ are white in color with only a few spots and no dashes orstripes.

Plants of the new Phalaenopsis can be compared to plants of Phalaenopsishybrida ‘Florida Sun’, not patented. In side-by-side comparisons, plantsof the new Phalaenopsis differ primarily from plants of ‘Florida Sun’ inplant habit as plants of the new Phalaenopsis are more compact thanplants of ‘Florida Sun’. In addition, flowers of plants of the newPhalaenopsis have fewer spots than flowers of plants of ‘Florida Sun’.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographs illustrate the overall appearance of thenew Phalaenopsis plant showing the colors as true as it is reasonablypossible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type. Colors in thephotographs may differ slightly from the color values cited in thedetailed botanical description which accurately describe the colors ofthe new Phalaenopsis plant.

The photograph on the first sheet (FIG. 1) is a side perspective view ofa typical flowering plant of ‘Sandman’ grown in a container.

The photograph on the second sheet (FIG. 2) is a close-up view of atypical flower of ‘Sandman’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The aforementioned photographs and following observations andmeasurements describe plants grown during the early spring in 10.5-cmcontainers in a glass-covered greenhouse in Heemskerk, The Netherlandsand under cultural practices typically used in commercial Phalaenopsisproduction. Plants were 18 months old when the photographs anddescription were taken. During the first twelve months of production ofthe plants, day and night temperatures averaged 27° C. During the finalsix months of production of the plants, day temperatures ranged from 20°C. to 22° C. and night temperatures ranged from 18° C. to 20° C. Duringthe 18 months of production, light levels ranged from a minimum of 5,000lux to a maximum of 10,000 lux. In the following description, colorreferences are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart,2015 Edition, except where general terms of ordinary dictionarysignificance are used.

-   Botanical classification: Phalaenopsis hybrida ‘Sandman’.-   Parentage:    -   -   Female parent.—Phalaenopsis hybrida ‘Diamond Beauty’, not            patented.        -   Male parent.—Phalaenopsis hybrida ‘Nankung's 4.55 PM’, not            patented.-   Propagation:    -   -   Type.—By in vitro meristem propagation.        -   Time to initiate roots, summer and winter.—About two weeks            at temperatures about 28° C. to 30° C.        -   Time to produce a rooted young plant, summer and            winter.—About 20 to 25 weeks at temperatures about 28° C. to            30° C.        -   Root description.—Thick, fibrous; typically grey to green in            color; actual color of the roots is dependent on substrate            composition, water quality, fertilizer, substrate            temperature and age of roots.        -   Rooting habit.—Low amount of branching; medium density.-   Plant description:    -   -   Plant form and growth habit.—Herbaceous epiphyte; relatively            compact and upright plant habit with typically two            inflorescences per plant, each inflorescence with numerous            flowers; monopodial; moderately vigorous growth habit and            moderate growth rate.        -   Plant height, substrate level to top of foliar plane.—About            13.5 cm.        -   Plant height, substrate level to top of            inflorescences.—About 35.8 cm.        -   Plant diameter or spread.—About 26.1 cm.-   Leaf description:    -   -   Arrangement and quantity.—Distichous, simple; sessile; about            five leaves per plant.        -   Length.—About 16 cm.        -   Width.—About 6.2 cm.        -   Aspect.—Upright to outwardly arching.        -   Shape.—Oblanceolate to narrowly elliptic; slightly carinate.        -   Apex.—Unequal acute.        -   Base.—Sheathing. Sheath length: About 1.3 cm. Sheath width:            About 1.2 cm. Sheath color: Close to 146C to 146D.        -   Margin.—Entire; slightly revolute.        -   Texture and luster, upper and lower surfaces.—Smooth,            glabrous; slightly glossy.        -   Venation pattern.—Camptodromous.        -   Color.—Developing leaves, upper surface: Close to 146A.            Developing leaves, lower surface: Close to 146A to 146B;            towards the margins, tinged with close to 200B to 200C.            Fully expanded leaves, upper surface: Close to 146B;            venation, close to 146A. Fully expanded leaves, lower            surface: Close to 146B; margin edges, close to 146C;            venation, close to 144A.-   Inflorescence description:    -   -   Appearance and flowering habit.—Showy zygomorphic flowers            arranged on axillary branched racemes; typically two            inflorescences per plant; each inflorescence with about ten            flowers; flowers face outwardly on arching inflorescences            supported by upright peduncles; flowers with three petals,            two lateral petals and one center petal transformed into a            labellum and three sepals.        -   Fragrance.—None detected.        -   Time to flower.—Plants begin flowering about six months            after planting; plants flower naturally during the winter            into the spring.        -   Flower longevity.—Long flowering period, individual flowers            maintain good substance for about eight weeks on the plant;            flowers not persistent.        -   Inflorescence length (lowermost flower to inflorescence            apex).—About 26.1 cm.        -   Inflorescence width.—About 12.5 cm.        -   Flower buds.—Height: About 1.8 cm. Diameter: About 1.2 cm by            1.4 cm. Shape: Broadly ovate. Color: Upper surface, close to            144B; lower surface, close to 144C.        -   Flower size.—About 7.4 cm (vertical) by 8.1 cm (horizontal).        -   Flower depth.—About 3 cm.        -   Petals, quantity and arrangement.—Three, two lateral petals            and one center petal transformed into a labellum.        -   Lateral petals.—Length: About 4.1 cm. Width: About 4.6 cm.            Shape: Reniform. Apex: Retuse. Margin: Entire. Texture and            luster, upper and lower surfaces: Smooth, glabrous, velvety;            matte. Color: When opening, upper surface: Close to 150D            with radiating dashes and spots along veins, close to 59B.            When opening, lower surface: Close to a blend of 150D and            154D with radiating dashes and spots along veins, close to            181D. Fully opened, upper surface: Close to 157C with            radiating dashes and spots along veins, close to 60D. Fully            opened, lower surface: Close to 157B to 157C with radiating            dashes and spots along veins, close to 186C to 186D.        -   Labella.—Appearance: Three-parted with two lateral lobes and            a central lobe. Length, lateral lobes: About 1.6 cm. Width,            lateral lobes: About 7 mm. Length, central lobe: About            2.9 cm. Width, central lobe: About 6 mm to 17 mm. Shape,            lateral lobes: Narrowly obovate. Shape, central lobe:            Narrowly rhomboid. Apex, lateral lobes: Obtuse. Apex,            central lobe: Cleft with two narrow and strongly recurved            cirrose tips, about 1.1 cm in length and about 8 mm in            width. Margins, lateral lobes: Entire; convex. Margins,            central lobe: Entire. Texture and luster, upper and lower            surfaces: Smooth, glabrous, moderately velvety; matte.            Callosities: Located at the base of the labellum and            attachment point of the lateral petals; about 4 mm in            length, about 5 mm in width and about 5 mm in height. Color:            When opening, upper surface: Lateral lobes: Ground color,            close to 155B; distally, close to 59B and 59C and            proximally, 156D tinged with close to 12B and marbled with            close to 166B to 166C. Central lobe: Close to 60A; towards            the apex, close to 72B and at the apex, close to NN155D;            basal margin, close to 165D and at the base (at column            connection) close to 161D with stripes, close to 70A; main            vein, close to 165D; cirrose tips, close to NN155D.            Callosities: Close to 14B; fine dots, close to 28A. When            opening, lower surface: Lateral lobes: Close to 157A and            162D; towards the apex, close to 64B and apical margin,            close to 164A. Central lobe: Close to NN155B; towards the            center, close to 166C; towards the apex, close to 161B and            apical margin, close to 70B; at the base; at the base (at            column connection) close to 156D. Fully opened, upper            surface: Lateral lobes: Ground color, close to NN155B;            distally, close to 71B and 71D and proximally, tinged with            close to 12B and marbled with close to 178B and 178C.            Central lobe: Close to 60A; towards the apex, close to 72B            and at the apex, close to NN155D; basal margin, close to            165D and at the base (at column connection) close to 161D            with stripes, close to 70A; main vein, close to 165D;            cirrose tips, close to NN155D. Callosities: Close to 14B;            fine dots, close to N25A. Fully opened, lower surface:            Lateral lobes: Close to N155A; towards the apex, close to            64B and apical margin, close to 166B. Central lobe: Close to            NN155B; towards the center, close to 165C; towards the apex,            close to 161B and apical margin, close to 70B; at the base;            at the base (at column connection) close to 157D.        -   Sepals.—Quantity and arrangement: Three, one upper dorsal            sepal and two lower lateral sepals. Length, dorsal sepal:            About 4.4 cm. Width, dorsal sepal: About 3.5 cm. Length,            lateral sepals: About 4.3 cm. Width, lateral sepals: About            3.2 cm. Shape, dorsal sepal: Broadly ovate to broadly            elliptic. Shape, lateral sepals: Ovate. Apex, dorsal sepal:            Retuse to shallowly emarginate. Apex, lateral sepals:            Bluntly acute. Base, dorsal and lateral sepals: Truncate.            Margin, dorsal sepal: Entire. Margin, lateral sepals:            Entire; basal margins, coarsely undulate. Texture and            luster, dorsal and lateral sepals, upper and lower surfaces:            Smooth, glabrous, velvety; matte. Color, dorsal sepal: When            opening, upper surface: Close to a blend of 145C and 145D            with radiating dashes and spots along veins, close to 59B.            When opening, lower surface: Close to a blend of 145C and            150C; towards the apex, close to 150B; radiating dashes and            spots along veins, close to 181D. Fully opened, upper            surface: Close to 157A; towards the margins and apex, close            to 157D; proximally, radiating dashes and spots along veins,            close to 60C to 60D. Fully opened, lower surface: Close to            150D with radiating dashes and spots along veins, close to            181D. Color, lateral sepals: When opening, upper surface:            Close to 145C with radiating dashes and spots along veins,            close to 59B. When opening, lower surface: Close to a blend            of 145C and 150C; towards the apex, close to 150B; radiating            dashes and spots along veins, close to 181D. Fully opened,            upper surface: Close to 145D; towards the lower margin,            close to 157A; proximally, radiating dashes and spots along            veins, close to 60C to 60D. Fully opened, lower surface:            Close to 145D with radiating dashes and spots along veins,            close to 181D; main vein, distally, close to 145C.        -   Peduncles.—Length: About 40.6 cm. Diameter: About 6 mm.            Strength: Strong. Aspect: Upright to outwardly arching.            Texture and luster: Smooth, glabrous; matte. Color: Close to            138B, densely covered with fine dots, close to 197A.        -   Pedicels.—Length: About 3.1 cm. Diameter: About 3 mm.            Strength: Moderately strong. Aspect: About 50° from peduncle            axis. Texture and luster: Smooth, glabrous; matte. Color:            Close to 150D; proximally, close to 144A.        -   Reproductive organs.—Androecium: Column length: About 9 mm.            Column width: About 6 mm. Column color: Close to NN155B.            Pollinia quantity: Two. Pollinia diameter (per two            pollinia): About 2.5 mm. Pollinia color: Close to 17A.            Gynoecium: Stigma length: About 3 mm. Stigma width: About            4.5 mm. Stigma shape: Reniform. Stigma color: Close to            NN155C. Ovary length: About 1.1 cm. Ovary diameter: About            1 mm. Ovary color: Close to 150D. Seeds and fruits: To date,            seed and fruit development have not been observed on plants            of the new Phalaenopsis.-   Pathogen & pest resistance: To date, plants of the new Phalaenopsis    have not been shown to be resistant to pathogens and pests common to    Phalaenopsis plants.-   Temperature tolerance: Plants of the new Phalaenopsis have been    observed to tolerate temperatures ranging from about 15° to about    40° C. and are suitable for USDA Hardiness Zones 10 to 12.

It is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct Phalaenopsis plant named ‘Sandman’as illustrated and described.